You may have heard that oral health can affect more than just your mouth. Directly and indirectly, issues such as gum disease could have consequences throughout many of your body's systems. In this article, we'll look at the facts about gum disease and the corresponding risk of heart disease.
Most of the existing research shows us that there's a connection between cardiac and gum health. The exact nature of that connection isn't clear. The fact remains that researchers have identified higher heart disease risks in patients with gum disease.
Gingivitis Treatment
Before we start, you should know that mild gum disease is relatively easy to treat. It's also usually easy to prevent in most cases — just brush and floss as your dentist recommends. You should also come in for regular preventive dentistry appointments and cleanings.
If you're at risk for heart disease, oral health should be one of your priorities. Bleeding, swelling, redness, gum recession, loose teeth, and chronic bad breath are all signs you should schedule an appointment.
Valve and Blood Infections
Gum disease essentially provides a reservoir of bacteria in your mouth. This bacteria has been shown to cross into the bloodstream in some situations. From there, of course, it can go to your heart.
Unfortunately, it seems that these bacteria can infect the heart's valves. This could increase the risk of complications of existing heart valve disease. You'd probably want to take care of both problems around the same time — the valve infection and the gum disease — so you don't have to fight a prolonged battle against a preventable complication.
Cardiac Blood Vessel Inflammation
Research into the heart's blood vessels has also provided a troubling potential link between gum disease and heart disease. Again, scientists are currently not sure what the exact mechanics or relationships are. Here's what we do know:
- There's a correlation between certain types of inflammation and the presence of gum disease
- These types of inflammation can come before cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks and strokes
- Oral bacteria have been found in arterial plaque in people with atherosclerosis (a disease often related to high blood cholesterol)
So, what we have here is not a statement that gum disease causes heart attacks. What we do have is a mounting body of evidence that shows a connection between poor oral health and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, getting your gum disease under control should lower your risk of heart attacks.
Call Our Pleasanton Dentist To Make an Appointment Today
If there's a chance that regular preventive dentist appointments can reduce your risk of life-altering cardiovascular problems, why wait? Schedule an appointment with us at our Pleasanton dental office at Mona Gokani, DDS, today by calling (925) 462-1464.